Ashtray

ABSTRACT

An improved ashtray assembly is provided which is intended to be used in conjunction with an empty disposable can of the type in which beer or other beverages are often merchandised. A cylindrical-shape holder is provided, in one embodiment, for receiving an empty can of the aforesaid type, the can having an opening in its top through which its contents were previously removed. A bowl-shaped top is also provided which has one or more holes in its bottom and which may be aligned selectively with the opening in the top of the can contained in the holder, so that cigar and cigarette ashes and butts may be dropped down into the can for subsequent disposal with the can. The assembly includes a central handle and nut which serve to removably secure the top of the can.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Doris S. Bailey 4012 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90008 [21] Appl. No. 5,028 [22] Filed Jan. 22, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [54] ASHTRAY 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 131/235,

131/241, l3l/242,220/1 1-1, 206/D1G. 19 51 Int. Cl A24: 19/00 50 Field ofSearch 131/231,

235, 241, 242; 220/1 B, 1 H; 206/D1G. 19

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 131,434 2/1942 Fageol l31/235RUX 2,152,285 3/1939 Schirmer 131/242 2,158,770 5/1939 Bartlett 220/1 B 2,327,036 3/1943 Gerner 131/235 R 2,764,165 9/1956 Lincecum 131/235 R 2,880,736 4/1959 Lookho1der.... 131/242 2,910,073 10/1959 Lookho1der.... 131/235 R X 2,974,821 3/1961 Lamont 131/235 R X 3,082,901 3/1963 Nakagawa 131/242 X 2,114,034 4/1938 Sebek 131/235 R X Primary Examiner.loseph S. Reich Attorney-Jessup & Beecher ABSTRACT: An improved ashtray assembly is provided which is intended to be used in conjunction with an empty disposable can of the type in which beer or other beverages are often merchandised.A cylindrical-shape holder is provided, in one embodiment, for receiving an empty can of the aforesaid type, the can having an opening in its top through which its contents were previously removed. A bowl-shaped top is also provided which has one or more holes in its bottom and which may be aligned selectively with the opening in the top of the can contained in the holder, so that cigar and cigarette ashes and butts may be dropped down into the can for subsequent disposal with the can. The assembly includes a central handle and nut which serve to removably secure the top of the can.

ASHTRAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The principal purpose of the ashtray of the invention is to obviate the annoying task of emptying and cleaning full ashtrays and the spillover from such ashtrays. The assembly of the present invention, as described briefly above, makes use of empty beer cans, and the like, as a receptacle for ashes and butts. Then, when the can becomes full, it may be disposed as a unit without any fire hazard, and replaced by another empty can.

The top member of the unit, in the embodiment to be described, is constructed to have a bowllike shape defining a concave upper surface, with cigarette receiving slots being formed in its rim which are inclined downwardly towards the bottom of the depression formed in the upper surface of the top member. The aforesaid depression may be divided into several compartments by integral partitions, and a hole may be provided at the bottom of each compartment. Then, merely by turning the top member, the holes in the bottom of its compartments may selectively be brought into alignment with the opening of the beer can contained in its holder portion, so that ashes and butts dropped into the compartments may drop into the can.

The configuration described in the preceding paragraph permits a burning cigarette to be placed directly in one of the aforesaid slots, so as to be self-extinguishing. Also, there is no need to butt out the cigarettes before they are dropped into the can, since a small quantity of water may be placed in the can, and burning cigarettes or cigars may be dropped directly through the opening in the top of the can.

THe ashtray assembly of the invention may be made of ceramic, for example, in a variety of attractive designs. Alternately, it may be made of a transparent material, colored or otherwise, so as to reveal the brand name on the can posi tioned within the holder, if that is desired. The holder itself may be tapered so that the can within it is wedged slightly and held securely, or the holder may include, for example, a foam rubber ring, or other retaining means. In some applications the cylindrical type holder portion of the assembly to be described may be dispensed with, and a simple cliplike holder provided so that the top member may be clipped directly over the top of the disposable can. In the latter case, for example, the top member may be composed of metal, such as aluminum or tin, of various colors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a elevational view of an assembly representative of one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. I, so as to reveal its various components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In the ashtray combination illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylindrical holder is provided which, as mentioned above, may be composed of ceramic, or of a suitable transparent material. The holder 10 has a closed bottom and an open top, and it is adapted to receive an empty beverage can 12. As

mentioned above, the holder 10 may be tapered slightly so that the can 12 is wedged and securely held within the container as it is dropped in place.

The top member of the assembly may, for example, be formed of a ceramic material, or any other desired material, and it is designated as 14. The upper surface of the illustrated top member 14 has a concave bowllike configuration, in that its upper surface is configured as a depression, and integral partitions are formed which separate the depression into separate compartments. Appropriate slots 16 are provided in the peripheral rim of the top member, each slanting down towards a corresponding compartment, so that any cigarette placed in the slot is held in an inclined position, with its burnin end down.

ach compartment in the top of the top member 14 has a hole 18 at its bottom, and these holes may be selectively aligned with the opening 12a in the top of the beer can 12. The opening 12a in the top of the can is formed in any usual way, such as by a can opener, or by a pull-tab, when the can was originally opened.

The top member 14 is held in place over the open top of the holder 10 by means, for example, of a handle 20 and a nut 22. The nut 22, for example, is threaded onto a stud 24 extending from the lower end of the handle 20. The handle 20 and nut 22 may serve to wedge the top 14 to the top of the can 12. The nut is placed down into the opening 12a in the top of the can, and the assembly is moved into a notch 28 adjacent one of the holes 18, and tightened into place so that the center of the top member 14 is securely clamped to the top of the can 12 which, in turn, is wedged down into the holder 10, so that the assembly is held in a unitary condition.

A depression 20a may be provided in the top of the handle 20 to permit cigarettes to be conveniently snuffed or butted out; although, as noted, the lighted cigarette may be dropped into the can, and a small quantity of water provided in the can for extinguishing purposes.

As also noted, in some applications the holder 10 may be eliminated, and the top 14 may be clipped directly to the can 12.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved and simple ashtray combination which is relatively inexpensive to construct, and which makes use of disposable beer cans, and the like, for disposing of ashes and cigarette butts.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination; a holder for an empty disposable beverage can, said can having an opening its top; a removable top member having at least one hole therein which may be aligned with the opening in the top of the aforesaid can to permit cigar and cigarette butts and ashes to be placed in said can; and a central handle having a nut threaded thereto and adapted to extend through the hole in said top member and in said can removably to secure said top member to the top of said can.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes an elongated handle extending upwardly from said top member.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 in which said handle has a depression formed in the upper end thereof for cigarettebutting purposes. 

1. In combination; a holder for an empty disposable beverage can, said can having an opening its top; a removable top member having at least one hole therein which may be aligned with the opening in the top of the aforesaid can to permit cigar and cigarette butts and ashes to be placed in said can; and a central handle having a nut threaded thereto and adapted to extend through the hole in said top member and in said can removably to secure said top member to the top of said can.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes an elongated handle extending upwardly from said top member.
 3. The combination defined in claim 2 in which said handle has a depression formed in the upper end thereof for cigarette-butting purposes. 